The Song of Lunch

A Poem

The Song of Lunch is based on Christopher Reid's narrative poem following the story of an unnamed book editor who is meeting his former love 15 years after their break-up for a nostalgic lunch at the Soho restaurant they used to frequent. The woman is now living a glamorous life in Paris, married to a world-renowned writer. The unnamed editor has failed in his writing career, detests his mundane publishing job and regrets the end of their love affair.

Despite the likeable actors, the film is unwatchable. Its tone is negative and unpleasant, and the male character's running inner dialogue grows wearisome after only a few minutes. The female character brings much-needed lightness, but cannot defeat the oppressive mood emanating from the male character.

Actors were brilliant for the role they played-- would I recommend it? Absolutely not. While it's a refreshing perspective with little dialogue and cynical whimsical narration, it didn't hold your attention. I did enjoy a few of the witty lines delivered by Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, and Alan kept the melancholic tone throughout the entire film. Definitely glad it is under an hour, and all in all, it could have been worse. Reminiscent of the story of Séraphin, it is not meant to be watched lightly with friends and family and a bowl of popcorn.

I enjoyed this, despite all its flawed and avoidable lopsidedness - he's full of self-loathing and remorse, she's always reasonable and radiant. Wisely under an hour long, this is a sort of 'My Dinner with Andre' with a lot of human pain about living on after making bad decisions, and without all the pop philosophy. Considering the format and basic idea, I think it works reasonably well. Both acquit themselves nicely, and if you're a big fan of Thompson this should certainly work for you (she's never looked better).

These actors are always amazing. The story might not be for everyone as it follows the lines of a poem and does not tie up everything in a big happy ribbon (it is about two people that went separate ways after all). Alan Rickman narrates the poem as the story progresses. I loved the descriptions.

Still not quite sure what to think of this movie. It was definitely bittersweet, but I'm not sure I liked it.... Unfortunately, knowing it was based on a poem, I found myself picturing the words being spoken as they might appear on the page in poetic lines. Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson are always marvellous. Love British actors - they inhabit their characters in ways American actors just somehow can't seem to manage. So - worth it for two legends in action, and very interesting for seeing a poem turned into a movie. Whoda thunk?!